2025-26 Annual Report

Respect Victoria acknowledges Aboriginal peoples throughout Victoria as the First Peoples and Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waterways. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. We proudly acknowledge Aboriginal communities throughout Victoria and their ongoing strength in practising the world’s oldest living cultures. We recognise the significant and ongoing impacts of colonisation and commit to working alongside First Nations communities to effect change. 

The cumulative effects of individual, institutional and societal violence, colonisation and racism over generations continue to harm Aboriginal peoples. This has contributed to the severity and disproportionate impact of family violence on Aboriginal women, families and communities to this day, and created the conditions that significantly increase the risks and barriers to accessing support.  

We recognise the ongoing leadership role of Aboriginal communities and organisations in addressing and preventing family violence and violence against women, and will continue to work in collaboration with First Peoples to eliminate this violence.

Self-determination is the foundation for better outcomes for Aboriginal communities. True self-determination means that Aboriginal peoples and communities are at the centre of approaches to address family violence and violence against women. This includes recognising and respecting the strength and diversity of Aboriginal peoples, families and communities across Victoria, and the leadership role of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in violence prevention.  

Telling the truth about Victoria’s past and making agreements about how we move forward are key to self-determination and ensuring a more just future for Aboriginal peoples. Respect Victoria supports the recommendations of the Yoorrook Justice Commission and Treaty between First Peoples and the Victorian Government. Respect Victoria’s work to prevent family violence against Aboriginal peoples and violence against Aboriginal women is informed by the principles of self-determination set out in Dhelk Dja: Safe Our Way – Strong Culture, Strong Peoples, Strong Families. We are firmly committed to working in collaboration with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to create a more equitable, respectful and safe community. 

Respect Victoria acknowledges the significant impact of family violence, violence against women and all forms of gendered violence on individuals, families and communities. We recognise the strength and resilience of the children, young people and adults who have, and are still, experiencing this violence.  

We pay our respects to those whose lives were taken, and to their loved ones. We keep at the forefront in our minds all those who have experienced gendered violence and abuse, and for whom we undertake this work.

In accordance with the Financial Management Act 1994, I am pleased to present Respect Victoria’s Annual Report for the year ending 30 June 2026.

Under section 53 of the Financial Management Act 1994 the Minister for Finance has approved Respect Victoria’s financials being included in the accounts of its portfolio department (the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH)) from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026. For further detail, refer to the DFFH Annual Report (see Disclosure Index). 

Claudia Fatone
Chair of the Board
23 September 2026

I, Claudia Fatone, on behalf of the Responsible Body, certify that Respect Victoria has no Material Compliance Deficiency with respect to the applicable Standing Directions under the Financial Management Act 1994 and Instructions. 

Claudia Fatone
Chair of the Board